5.4 million tune in to ‘True Blood’

HBO vamp drama finale up 5% from last year

“True Blood” ended its third season Sunday with 5.4 million tuning in, a 5% increase over the previous season finale.

A later repeat telecast drew another 1.1 million. Including all showings — linear, DVR and on demand — the vampire drama has been averaging 12.7 million per week.

Sunday’s numbers were impressive considering the stout competition the pay cabler went up against. NBC drew 25.3 million for the NFL game between the Cowboys and Redskins, while MTV offered the “Video Music Awards,” which scored 11.4 million.

Also ending its season run was “Entourage.” Half-hour comedy that will end its run in 2011 drew 2.7 million, while “Hung” finished season two with 2.3 million.

The departure of “True Blood” leaves room for the much buzzed about premiere Sept. 19 of “Boardwalk Empire,” an examination of Prohibition-era Atlantic City in 1920. Skein stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Pitt and Michael Shannon.

Pilot was directed by Martin Scorsese, who exec produces with creator Terence Winter.